Less than 24 hours after the Auburn Tigers pulled off an incredible victory over No. 1 Alabama, Newton had another reason to smile.

Carolina’s third-year quarterback capped a memorable weekend by throwing for 263 yards and two touchdowns and ‘‘Superman’’ leaped over the pile for another score as the Panthers (9-3) defeated Tampa Bay, 27-6, for a franchise-record eighth straight regular-season victory.

‘‘It wasn’t prototypical, or the way we wanted to win, but we found a way to win and that’s the most encouraging part about it,’’ said Newton, who rebounded from two interceptions.

The victory set up a huge game next Sunday night in New Orleans against the Saints with first place in the NFC South on the line.

‘‘We’re ready,’’ said fullback Mike Tolbert, who had 89 total yards. ‘‘Around here we pride ourselves on being able to follow up one game with another.’’

Newton ran for 68 yards, 53 on a first-quarter run to set up Carolina’s first touchdown. Newton, who led Auburn to a national championship and won a Heisman Trophy with the Tigers, is enjoying the best stretch of his professional career with 13 touchdown passes and five TDs rushing during the win streak.

Carolina’s defense, which came in allowing an NFL-low 13.7 points per game, forced two turnovers and sacked rookie Mike Glennon five times to snap Tampa Bay’s three-game winning streak.

Glennon had thrown a touchdown pass in an NFL record eight straight games to start his career, but the Panthers kept the Bucs (3-9) out of the end zone.

The Panthers have not lost since a 22-6 defeat at Arizona Oct. 6 and confidence is at an all-time high in the locker room.

‘‘There is no roof, no sky,’’ defensive end Greg Hardy said. ‘‘We’re going up. I feel like it’s contagious. Fans are getting it. They feel like they can’t be beat.’’

The turning point came in the second quarter with the Panthers holding a 7-6 lead.

Glennon rolled left on third and goal at the 4 and had the ball inexplicably slip out of his throwing hand without being touched. Panthers defensive tackle Dwan Edwards pounced on the loose ball at the 17, and the Panthers cashed in with a 23-yard field goal by Graham Gano.

Newton made it 17-6 with 25 seconds left in the half when he dived headfirst over the pile, extending the ball over the goal line.

It was all Panthers in the second half.

Safety Mike Mitchell intercepted Glennon on the opening drive and Newton quickly took advantage. He moved the Panthers 78 yards in four plays, connecting on a 36-yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn, who beat Darrelle Revis on a double move.

Glennon was 14 of 21 for 80 yards with an interception.

‘‘I don’t know if it was a step back, but maybe he looked a little more like a rookie than he’s looked in the past,’’ Bucs coach Greg Schiano said. ‘‘

It’s hard to believe the Panthers now have a shot at a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs after starting the season 1-3, when talk was rampant about coach Ron Rivera’s future with the team.

‘‘It’s unbelievable,’’ said defensive end Wes Horton, who had two sacks. ‘‘When we were 1-3 it was tense, we were trying to find ourselves as a team. And now we’re rolling and everyone is one the same page.’’